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Thursday, April 9, 2015

Physical Literacy Consensus Statement - We Need Your Input

Dear OSPAPPH Members,

As practitioners or researchers whose work is in some way
connected with physical literacy and/or the promotion of physical activity,
sport and recreation, you are being invited to participate in a survey
soliciting your opinion on a draft of Canada’s Physical Literacy Consensus
Statement.

Increasing interest in physical literacy among
various stakeholders has led to many developments in advancing its promotion
and support through a proliferation of initiatives. Excitement around the
emergence of this new term has also led to a variety of definitions, and sometimes a misuse of the concept by using it
interchangeably with terms such as ‘physical activity’, ‘physical education’,
‘fundamental movement skills’ or ‘motor skill development’. Consultation with sector
leaders in Canada
revealed that a common definition was needed and desired. A uniform definition
with consistent language would provide clarity for the development of policy,
practice and research.

The Consensus Statement has been prepared by a Steering
Committee comprised of ten individuals from seven organizations with both a
Canadian and international perspective*. These organizations, coming with
various perspectives and definitions of physical literacy, convened to examine
a process to develop a Consensus Statement.
What resulted was agreement to put forward the definition developed by
the International Physical Literacy
Association, which is based on both evidence and consultations with a variety
of sectors.

This Consensus Statement presents a definition of physical literacy
as well as a description of the elements of the definition. As the final stage in the development of this Consensus
Statement we are seeking to gain feedback about the clarity of the Consensus
Statement, as well as level of agreement, perceived importance, and support for
the Consensus Statement from a large number of practitioners in the fields
represented by each of the contributing collaborators (e.g., sport, recreation,
education, public health, health promotion, physical activity, etc.).

Acceptance of a common definition is important for the alignment of
strategic efforts in policy, practice, and research aimed at promoting physical
literacy. Following this broad
stakeholder consultation and subsequent revisions, the final Consensus
Statement will be launched at the International Physical Literacy Conference in
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in June, 2015. Further discussions will
lead to the production and publication of a more detailed background document
on the process and outcomes related to the production of the Consensus
Statement.

Participation in this
survey is voluntary. By accessing and completing this survey you are giving
your implied/passive consent to participate in the survey. The survey does not collect
information about your name or email address and responses will be presented in
group format only. A summary of findings will be available on the
ParticipACTION website (www.ParticipACTION.com) once the results have been
published and will also be sent to participating organizations for distribution
to members. If you have any questions about this study, please contact Dr. Mark
Tremblay at 613-737-7600 ext 4114 or mtremblay@cheo.on.ca.
The Children’s Hospital
of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
Research Ethics Board (REB) has reviewed this protocol. The REB considers
ethical aspects of all research studies involving human participants at the
CHEO and its Research Institute. If you have any questions about your rights as
a study participant, you may contact the CHEO REB Chairperson at 613-737-7600
ext 3624. Note: Canada’s Physical Literacy Consensus Statement is in draft form
and not intended for general circulation.

Click on the link below for more information on the survey
and instructions on how to get started.
Thanks for your time!

We encourage you to
circulate the survey link to your colleagues and among your networks. This
stakeholder survey will be open from April 9 until April 24, 2015.

*Canada’s Physical Literacy Consensus Statement
is the result of a collaborative process between ParticipACTION, Sport for Life
Society, the
Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group at the Children’s Hospital of
Eastern Ontario Research Institute, PHE Canada, Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, and the Ontario
Society of Physical Activity Promoters in Public Health. Representatives from
the International Physical Literacy Association also contributed in an advisory
capacity.